Kike López: "The supporters play a huge role, hopefully we can give them many victories"

Enrique López Delgado (Salamanca, 12 January 1988) has eclipsed the 400 mark of official football matches played in his career. Plenty more matches look set to be added to that tally, because Kike López, as he is known in football circles, is only 31 years old. Considered by many as a veteran for quite some time, he now aims to bring his experience to the Sky Blue project. With his incorporation, Unión Deportiva Ibiza has signed a player with a wealth of experience in both Second Division A and Second Division B.

The last four seasons he spent with Atlético Baleares and, prior to that, represented clubs such as "Villarreal, Salamanca, Cádiz, Tenerife, Alcorcón and Alcoyano". Fernando Soriano painted a picture of the player's trajectory during the official presentation of the Salamanca-born footballer which was held at Ibiza's preseason camp in Valencia. Kike's roots as a youth player were not lost on Soriano who highlighted his past in the youth set-up of Real Valladolid, a club he made his debut for in Primera División (playing six matches between seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009).

"He will bring experience, intensity, determination... He is a technical player, with a lot of quality and a long trajectory. He will reinforce the flanks as well as the centre", explained the sporting director who also reminded the press of the player's early beginnings as a striker. As a legacy from that time, Kike López still possesses that innate instinct and ability to create havoc in the opposition's box.

Despite being in Ibiza for a short time so far, the winger already is aware of the enthusiasm surrounding the club's supporters and fanbase: "It's great that they're positive and always support the group. We will need them on many occasions this season. We know that the crowd always plays an important role. Hopefully, we will be able to give them many victories in return for their love and affection". Over the past few weeks, Kike López has settled in well within the squad: "The atmosphere is excellent. We are aware of the fact that there is a healthy level of competition in the dressing room. We're all working very hard. It's precisely that type of level that we need to show during the season".